3只旅美大熊貓將返回祖國

American-born giant panda Bao Bao will be heading from Washington's National Zoo to the land of her forefathers, China, early next year, it was announced last Thursday.

華盛頓國家動物園上週四宣佈，在美國出生的大熊貓“寶寶”將於明年年初回到原籍中國。

Bao Bao's parents, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, who also live at the National Zoo, are on loan from China, and the agreement calls for any pandas born at U.S. zoos to be sent to the Chinese breeding program before their fourth birthday.

“寶寶”的父母“美香”和“添添”也住在國家動物園，它們是從中國租借的大熊貓。根據租借協議，任何在美國動物園出生的熊貓都要在四歲生日之前送回中國，以進行育種計劃。

Bao Bao's older brother Tai Shan made the journey in 2010. Now, it's her turn.

“寶寶”的哥哥“泰山”已經在2010年回國了。現在，輪到她了。

Also last Thursday, the zoo in the southern U.S. city of Atlanta said its 3-year-old giant panda twins would leave November 3.

美國南部城市亞特蘭大的動物園同樣在上週四宣佈，他們所持有的3歲大熊貓雙胞胎將於11月3日離開美國。

Atlanta's departing panda twins, Mei Lun and Mei Huan, were born July 15, 2013, and were the first surviving panda twins born in the United States.

亞特蘭大動物園的雙胞胎大熊貓名字分別叫“美輪”和“美奐”，它們出生於2013年7月15日，是在美國出生的第一對存活下來的大熊貓雙胞胎寶寶。

Zoos prefer to transfer the pandas in winter because it is easier to keep them cool on the long flight.

動物園選擇在冬天運送這些大熊貓，因爲這樣在長途飛行中很容易能讓它們保持涼爽。

"The panda team will continuously monitor Bao Bao during the trip and will travel with a supply of her favorite treats, including bamboo, apples, pears, cooked sweet potatoes and water," the National Zoo said in a statement.

華盛頓國家動物園在一份聲明中說：“熊貓團隊將在旅途中一直監測'寶寶'的狀態，旅途中供應的食物也都是它愛吃的，包括竹子、蘋果、梨子、烤地瓜和水等等。”

The zoo still has one young giant panda, which will remain in the nation's capital for at least a couple more years: Bei Bei, who was born in August 2015.

該動物園裏還有一隻大熊貓幼崽--2015年8月出生的“貝貝”，它將在華盛頓多待幾年。

After the three young pandas depart, there will be a dozen pandas remaining in the United States: four in Atlanta, three in Washington, three in San Diego and two in Memphis.

在本次這三隻大熊貓離開之後，還有12只大熊貓留在美國：其中4只在亞特蘭大，3只在華盛頓，3只在聖地亞哥，2只在孟菲斯。